Minimally invasive corpectomy cage and instrument

ABSTRACT

An assembly comprising an expandable corpectomy cage and an insertion instrument, wherein the expandable cage comprises an instrument attachment features, including mating holes on the sides of the outer sleeve, and a ball-shaped pocket on the endplate of the inner sleeve, and the insertion instrument features a tuning-fork shaped holder, which attaches to the mating holes on the implant&#39;s outer sleeve using small bosses which mate with the holes under the spring tension of the fork, and a lever with a spherical end that mates with the ball-shaped pocket in the inner sleeve endplate.

CONTINUING DATA

This divisional application claims priority from co-pending U.S. Ser.No. 12/432,117, entitled “Minimally Invasive Corpectomy Cage andInstrument”, filed Apr. 29, 2009, by Frasier., (Attorney Docket No.DEP6219USNP), the specification of which is incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A spinal corpectomy procedure seeks to remove a diseased vertebral bodyfrom the patient, and is commonly performed through an anterior approachusing a large, open incision and general retractors. Increasingly,however, surgeons are utilizing smaller access portals for all types ofsurgeries, including spinal corpectomies. They also are more often usinga posterior approach when the corpectomy involves the thoracic spine.However, this approach provides a more limited access to the spine, andoften requires the surgeon to take a nerve root in order to use existingcorpectomy cages and instruments. Surgeons who strive to keep theiraccess windows small often resort to manipulating the corpectomy cageinto position using sutures and small instruments, by first insertingthe cage orthogonal to the axis of the spinal column, then and rotatingit into place so that the endplates of the cage face the opposingvertebral bodies. A corpectomy implant and instrument designed for usethrough a small incision or port would make this cage placement easierand faster for the surgeon, and safer for the patient.

US Patent Publication No. 20080114467 (Capote) discloses an expandablemedical implant for supporting bone structures. The implant may includean outer member and an inner member receivable in the outer member. Oneof the outer and inner members includes a tapered surface and the otherof the outer and inner members includes a scalloped surface. The implantmay also include a locking element disposed between the tapered surfaceand the scalloped surface. The tapered surface may be movable relativeto the locking element to transversely shift the locking element intoengagement with the scalloped surface to inhibit a decrease in theoverall implant height.

US Patent Publication No. 20080167720 (Melkent) discloses an expandablevertebral replacement device and method of using the same that allowssurgeons to support two adjacent vertebrae after an intermediatevertebra or a portion of an intermediate vertebra has been removed forthe spine. The expandable vertebral replacement device includes a firstreplacement body, a second replacement body and a collar. The secondreplacement body includes a projecting portion that is telescopicallyreceived within an axial passage defined by the first replacement body.The collar is used to force the collet of the first replacement bodyinto clamping engagement with the projecting portion of the secondreplacement body to lock the expandable vertebral replacement device ata select height.

PCT Patent Publication No. WO2006116052 (Rhoda) discloses an expandableprosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generallycomprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positionedcoaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer membersare moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member isaxially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect tothe outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threadedportion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis.The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predeterminedalignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to theexterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a pluralityof angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.

PCT Patent Publication No. WO2008065450 (Parry) discloses an implant forrepairing a damaged body structure that comprises or is associated withbone parts. In one aspect a spinal implant includes an inferior memberhaving an inferior end surface for engaging a superior face of aninferior vertebral body and a longitudinal portion; a superior memberhaving a superior end surface for engaging an opposing inferior surfaceof a second vertebral body, and a portion adapted to cooperate with thelongitudinal portion of the inferior member such that the superiormember is moveable relative to the inferior member by sliding in thelongitudinal direction; and fixating means for securing the superiormember to the inferior member. Also described are instruments andmethods used in the repair of such damaged body structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to implants, instruments and methodsof delivering a corpectomy implant into a spinal defect space and thenrotating the corpectomy implant in the defect space withoutdisconnecting it from its delivery instruments. In preferredembodiments, the instruments of the present invention are designed towork through a minimally invasive port. This minimally invasive approachthereby eliminates the need for the surgeon to take the local nerve rootduring the corpectomy procedure.

The present invention is further advantageous in that it also eliminatesthe need for a parallel expansion insertion device (which would requirean open surgery), while maintaining a sufficient external expansionmechanism and a large graft volume inside the implant.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention feature an expandablecorpectomy cage and an insertion instrument designed to both rotate andexpand the cage.

In preferred embodiments, the expandable cage comprises an instrumentattachment features, these feature including i) mating holes on thesides of the outer sleeve, and ii) a ball-shaped pocket on the endplateof the inner sleeve.

In preferred embodiments, the insertion instrument features:

-   -   a) a tuning-fork shaped holder, which attaches to the mating        holes on the implant's outer sleeve using small bosses which        mate with the holes under the spring tension of the fork, and    -   b) a lever with a spherical end that mates with the ball-shaped        pocket in the inner sleeve endplate.

In other embodiments, the mating provided by the spring tension of thefork can be accomplished with a pivot and lock.

-   -   Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is        provided a spacer for insertion between two vertebrae, the        spacer having a variable axial height and comprising:        -   a) an outer member comprising an inner wall and an outer            wall having a pair of attachment features thereon adapted            for mating with an insertion instrument,        -   b) an inner member comprising an outer wall and an end plate            having a pocket having a substantially curved bottom thereon            adapted for mating with the instrument,

wherein the outer wall of the inner member is received within the innerwall of the outer member and is axially adjustable relative thereto inan axial direction thereof for adjusting the variable axial height ofthe spacer.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided aspacer for insertion between two vertebrae by an insertion instrument,the spacer having a variable axial height and comprising:

-   -   a) an outer member comprising an inner wall and an outer wall        having a pocket having a substantially curved bottom thereon        adapted for mating with a first portion of the instrument,    -   b) an inner member comprising an outer wall and an end plate        having a pair of attachment features thereon adapted for mating        with a second portion of the instrument,

wherein the outer wall of the inner member is received within the innerwall of the outer member and is axially adjustable relative thereto inan axial direction thereof for adjusting the variable axial height ofthe spacer.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided anassembly for inserting a spacer between two vertebrae, the assemblycomprising:

-   -   i) the spacer having a variable axial height and comprising:        -   a) an outer member comprises an inner wall and an outer wall            having a pair of attachment features thereon adapted for            mating with an instrument,        -   b) an inner member comprises an outer wall and an end plate            having a a pocket having a substantially curved bottom            thereon adapted for mating with the instrument,            wherein the outer wall of the inner member is guided within            the inner wall of the outer member to be adjustable relative            thereto in an axial direction thereof for adjusting an            overall height, and    -   ii) an insertion instrument comprising:        -   a) a fork comprising a proximal shaft comprising a handle,            an intermediate crossbar, and a distal portion comprising a            pair of extensions, the extensions having a pair of opposing            bosses,        -   b) a lever having a proximal shaft comprising a handle, an            intermediate portion and a substantially curved distal end,            wherein the intermediate portion of the lever pivots upon            the crossbar,            wherein the opposing bosses mate with the pair of attachment            features, and

wherein the substantially curved distal end of the lever pivotally mateswith the substantially curved bottom of the pocket.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided amethod of inserting an expandable spinal corpectomy cage into a defectspace between a pair of vertebral bodies, the cage comprising i) anouter member having a first endplate and opposing attachment featuresdefining a rotation axis, and ii) an inner member having a secondendplate, wherein the inner member is received within the outer memberand is axially adjustable relative thereto in an axial direction thereoffor adjusting the variable axial height of the cage, the methodcomprising the steps of:

-   -   a) attaching the attachment features of the expandable cage to        an insertion instrument,    -   b) inserting the expandable cage into the defect space in an        orientation in which the axis of the cage is substantially        orthogonal to an axis of the spine, and    -   c) manipulating the insertion instrument to rotate the        expandable cage about the rotation axis so that the axis of the        cage is substantially parallel to the axis of the spine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 discloses an expandable cage of the present invention comprisinginstrument attachment features, including mating holes on the sides ofthe outer sleeve, and a ball-shaped pocket on the endplate of the innersleeve.

FIG. 2 discloses a first instrument component of the present invention,namely, a tuning-fork shaped holder, which attaches to the mating holeson the implant's outer sleeve using small bosses which mate with theholes under the spring tension of the fork.

FIG. 3 discloses a second instrument component of the present invention,namely, a lever with a spherical end that mates with the ball-shapedpocket in the inner sleeve endplate.

FIG. 4 a discloses the cage of the present invention attached to theinstrument of the present invention.

FIGS. 4 b and 4 c disclose insertion of the cage into a defect space ina minimally invasive orientation.

FIG. 4 d discloses rotating the cage 90 ninety degrees.

FIG. 4 e discloses expansion of the rotated cage.

FIG. 4 f discloses rotation of the instrument to allow access to the setscrew.

FIGS. 5 a-5 j disclose a series of steps performed by the surgeon inorder to insert and expand the cage of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b disclose front and back views of a cage of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 c discloses a cage of the present invention having windows inboth annuluses.

FIG. 7 a discloses a cage of the present invention in which the teeth ofthe pressure plate mate with the notches on the inner annulus.

FIG. 7 b discloses details of the engagement mechanism of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 a discloses a perspective view of the engagement member of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 b discloses a cross-section of the engagement mechanism of thepresent invention having a pressure plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now referring to FIG. 1, there is provided a spacer 150 for insertionbetween two vertebrae, the spacer having a variable axial height andcomprising:

-   -   a) an outer member 101 comprising an inner wall 103 and an outer        wall 105 having a pair of recesses 107 thereon adapted for        mating with an instrument,    -   b) an inner member 111 comprising an outer wall 113 and an end        plate 115 having a substantially spherical pocket 117 thereon        adapted for mating with the instrument,        wherein the outer wall of the inner member is received within        the inner wall of the outer member and is axially adjustable        relative thereto in an axial direction thereof for adjusting the        variable axial height of the spacer.

Now referring to FIG. 2, there is provided a first component of thedelivery instrument, comprising a fork 122 comprising a proximal shaft123 comprising a handle 125, an intermediate crossbar 127 (fulcrum), anda distal portion 129 comprising a pair of extensions 131, each extensionhaving a pair of opposing bosses 133.

Now referring to FIG. 3, there is provided a second component of thedelivery instrument, comprising a lever 141 having a proximal shaft 143comprising a handle 145, an intermediate portion 147 and a substantiallyspherical distal end 149.

In preferred embodiments, the cage of the present invention is insertedinto the defect space in the following manner:

First, the surgeon accesses the spinal level of interest by removing thetarget vertebral body through a small incision or portal.

Next, and now referring to FIG. 4 a, an appropriately-sized cage 150 isselected and attached to the fork 122 by snapping the fork's bosses 133over the recesses 7 on the outer member of the cage. Next, the lever 141is attached to the inner sleeve pocket 117 by sliding its spherical end149 into the pocket from under the inferior side of the superiorendplate. Next, the cage is collapsed, and the handles of the fork 125and lever 145 are oriented to be parallel to the main axis of the cage.

Next, and now referring to FIGS. 4 b and 4 c, the surgeon holds thehandles 125,145 together, and inserts the cage 150 through an accessportal (not shown).

Now referring to FIG. 4 d, once the cage 150 is in the defect at thedesired location (but not orientation), the surgeon manipulates the twohandles 125,145 to flip the cage ninety degrees, thereby making itparallel to the axis of the spine.

Now referring to FIG. 4 e, expansion of the cage 150 is then initiatedby placing the intermediate portion 147 of the lever against thehorizontal crossbar 127 of the fork, and squeezing the handles together.

Now referring to FIG. 4 f, the fork 122 and lever 141 can be rotatedslightly while still under tension, allowing access to a set screw onthe cage with a straight, thin driver. Once the set screw is locked, thefork is removed by pulling it straight up to overcome the spring tensionin the fork. The lever is removed by sliding it out from under thesuperior endplate.

A more detailed presentation of the procedure for inserting the presentinvention is provided in FIGS. 5 a-5 j and is presented below:

Now referring to FIG. 5 a, the fork extensions 131 are attached to theimplant, with the extension bosses 133 resting in the recesses 107 onthe wall 105 of the outer member of the implant. This attachmentconfiguration allows rotation of the implant about the bosses. Thespring-loaded nature of the extensions of the fork allow them to snapover the implant body.

Now referring to FIG. 5 b, the spherical distal end 149 of the lever ismounted in the spherical pocket 117 located on the implant. Thisspherical distal end is mounted in the pocket through an underside 199of the endplate portion 115 of the inner member. Slot 153 provided abovethe spherical pocket on the endplate allows the lever to rotate into aninsertion position

Now referring to FIG. 5 c, the fork 122 and the lever 141 are heldtogether in-line with the longitudinal axis of the implant as theimplant 150 is inserted between the vertebrae.

Now referring to FIG. 5 d, the fork 122 is held steady while the lever141 is manipulated to begin rotation of the implant 150. Now referringto FIG. 5 e, rotation of the implant 150 about the bosses 133 continuesby continued manipulation of the lever 141.

Now referring to FIG. 5 f, rotation of the implant 150 to its finalorientation is accomplished by pushing the lever 141 down while holdingonto the fork 122.

Now referring to FIG. 5 g, once the implant 150 has been rotated to itsfinal orientation and the implant endplates seat against the endplatesof the vertebral bodies, the proximal shaft 143 of the lever is swungupwards to more substantially align with the proximal shaft 123 of thefork.

Now referring to FIGS. 5 h and 5 i, to begin expansion of the implant,the shafts 143,123 of the lever and fork are squeezed together. In thisconfiguration, the lever mates with a slot 155 on the cross-bar of thefork so that the crossbar 127 behaves as a fulcrum in order to expandthe implant.

Now referring to FIG. 5 j, to complete expansion of the implant 150, theshaft 143 of the lever is typically pushed past the shaft 123 of thefork, depending upon the amount of expansion needed.

Generally, the attachment features of the cage can be any conventionalfeature that is used to attach an implant to an insertion instrument.Preferably, the attachment feature is a recess having a shapecorresponding to the bosses of the insertion instrument. Alsopreferably, the cage has a pair of attachment features that are locatedon diametrically opposite sides of a cage wall. Although the attachmentfeatures are shown in the FIGS. as recesses, in other embodiments, theattachment features can also be projections (in which case, theinsertion instrument possesses corresponding recesses).

Generally, the pocket has a curved bottom that facilitates the pivotingof the cage. Preferably, the curved surface has a circular cross sectionin the axial direction. More preferably, the pocket has a substantiallyspherical shape. In other embodiments, the pocket has a cylindricalshape. In general, the distal end of the lever component possesses afeature that matingly corresponds to the pocket shape on the cage. Forexample, when the cage's pocket is substantially spherical, the lever'sdistal end is likewise substantially spherical.

Now referring to FIGS. 6 a-6 c there is provided a spacer for insertionbetween two vertebrae, the spacer having a variable axial height andcomprising a sleeve-shaped first member 1 and a second member 2 guidedwithin the first member to be slidable relative thereto in an axialdirection thereof for adjusting an overall height,

wherein the second member comprises an outer wall 3 and ratchet notches5 provided at its outer wall facing the first member and extending inthe axial direction, and

wherein the first member comprises a wall 7 having an engagement member9, which cooperates with the ratchet notches for adjusting the overallheight of the spacer,

wherein the first member has a window 10 therein for inserting graftmaterial therethrough, and

wherein the engagement member 9 comprises i) a set screw 11 and ii) apressure plate 13 having an outer face 15 contacting the set screw andan inner face 17 having teeth 19 adapted to mate with the ratchetnotches of the second member.

The first member generally has a tubular shape comprising a firstannulus 21. The outer end of the first member should be adapted to seatupon a lower vertebral endplate, and so a substantially flat endplate 25is generally attached to the outer end 27 of the first annulus. Thisendplate generally has a hole in its center and extends outwardlysubstantially radially from the outer end of the annulus. The outer face28 of the endplate should be adapted to grip the lower vertebralendplate and so is generally provided with roughened features 29. Theseroughened features may be a plurality of uniformly distributed, pointedteeth 31 that bite into the adjacent endplate. In other embodiments, theteeth may be non-uniformly distributed. For further insuring that theendplate will be stably seated into the vertebral endplate, the outerface of the endplate may also have a few long spikes 33 extendingtherefrom. In some embodiments, the endplate has an overall convex shapein order to suitably conform to the overall concave shape of the naturalvertebral endplate in which it seats. In some embodiments (as in FIG.6), the endplate has a wedge cross-section in order to conform to thelordosis adopted by the natural spine in the region of the implant.Typically, the wedge is designed to provided a lordotic angle of betweenabout 0 and about 24 degrees, more typically between about 6 and about12 degrees. The wedge may also be designed to provided a kyphotic angleof between about 0 and about −12 degrees,

In general, the outer dimensions of the endplates of the presentinvention are between about 16 mm and about 30 mm (e.g., 16×20; 20×23and 24×30).

The annular portion of the first member also comprises a plurality ofuniformly distributed, transverse, through-holes 35. These throughholesare generally about 2-8 mm in diameter, and provide a means for bonegrowth therethrough. The holes are preferably of diamond shape, althoughother shapes such as triangles may be used. When in a diamond shape,suitable sizes include 2.5 mm×3.5 mm shapes to 5 mm×7 mm shapes. In theparticular FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, the throughholes have a diamond shape. Thediamond shape allows the annulus material to make a mesh pattern in thewall that has structural advantages. However, any conventional shape maybe used for the through-hole pattern. In some embodiments, the pluralityof throughholes occupy only the distal portion 37 of the annulus. Insuch an embodiment, graft windows may be placed both on the proximal 39and lateral 41 portions of the annulus. This has the advantage ofallowing the surgeon to place bone graft into the cage from a variety ofangles. In some embodiments, the plurality of throughholes occupy notonly the distal portion of the first annulus, but also the lateralportions as well. In such an embodiment, graft windows may be placedonly through the proximal portion of the annulus, but the cage has thestructural advantage of extra strength.

The first member generally has at least one graft window 10 therein. Thegraft window functions both as a path through which the surgeon canplace bone graft into the cage, but also as a means for bone growththerethrough. In other embodiments, the first member has a plurality ofgraft windows therein. When a face of the annulus has been selected forgraft windows, in preferred embodiments, two graft windows 43 are placedone on top of the other, being separated by a bar 45. This bar enhancesthe strength of the cage. In the particular cage shown in FIG. 6, thereare two graft windows on the proximal face of the annulus, two graftwindows on the left lateral face of the annulus and two graft windows onthe right lateral face of the annulus. This configuration represents abalance between providing surgeon flexibility (through the inclusion ofmultiple faces with graft windows) and cage strength (through the use ofa lateral bar between windows on any face). Each window typically has adiameter of between about 5 mm and about 20 mm. Typical windows measure5.5 mm×5.6 mm to 12 mm×15.75 mm to 17.5 mm×12 mm.

The first member may preferably include a reinforcing collar 47surrounding the inner (upper) end portion 48 of the first annulus. Thefunction of the reinforcing collar is to strengthen the first member andreduce deflection when the screw is tightened. The reinforcing collaralso generally has a threaded screw hole extending radiallytherethrough. This threaded screw hole is adapted for threadable passageof a threaded locking set screw therethrough.

Now referring to FIG. 7 a, the first member comprises a collar 47 havingan engagement member 9 therein, and the engagement member cooperateswith the ratchet notches of the second member for adjusting a desiredoverall height of the spacer.

Now referring to FIG. 7 b, there is provided a more detailedunderstanding of the engagement member. The engagement member 9comprises i) a set screw 11 and ii) a pressure plate 13 having an outerface 15 contacting the set screw and an inner face 17 having teeth 19adapted to mate with the ratchet notches of the second member.

In some embodiments, as in FIG. 7 b, a cylindrical outer surface 20 ofthe set screw is threaded to allow its advance toward the second member.In some embodiments, as in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, the set screw is tubularwith internal axial recesses 22 therein extending along its axis. Theseaxial recesses mate with a screwdriver, thus allowing the screw to berotated and thereby advanced towards the second member.

The set screw further has a neck and head extension 49 extending fromits distal end 50, wherein the extension is shaped so as to both provideengagement with a corresponding recess 51 of the pressure plate andallow its rotation during that engagement.

Now referring to FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, the pressure plate 13 has an outerface 15 contacting the set screw and an inner face 17 having teeth 19adapted to mate with the ratchet notches of the second member. The outerface has a neck and head recess 51 therein that corresponds with thehead and neck extension of the set screw so as to both provideengagement with a corresponding extension of the set screw and allowrotation of the set screw during that engagement. The pressure plate isseated on the inside face of the collar.

The inner face of the pressure plate has at least two elongated teeth 19thereon forming at least one notch therebetween. The tips of the teethare preferably spaced apart a distance of between about 1 mm and 2 mm,generally about 1.5 mm. The spacing can be larger or smaller than thesevalues, with smaller being preferable.

Now referring to FIG. 6 b, the distal 37 portion of the first memberalso has an assembly pin 53 extending radially inward from the collar.This assembly pin slidably mates with a corresponding assembly groove 54of the second member in order to maintain the second member in aslidable orientation within the first member, and to retain the firstmember to the second member.

Still referring to FIG. 6 b, the second member generally has a tubularshape comprising a second annulus 55. The outer diameter of the secondannulus should be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the firstannulus of the first member, in order to provide slidable reception ofthe second annulus within the first member.

The outer end of the second member should be adapted to seat upon anupper vertebral endplate, and so a substantially flat endplate 57 isgenerally attached to the outer end 59 of the second annulus 55. Thisendplate generally has a hole in its center and extends outwardsubstantially radially from the upper end of the annulus. The outer faceof the endplate should be adapted to grip the upper vertebral endplateand so is generally provided with roughened features 29. These roughenedfeatures may be a plurality of uniformly (or non-uniformly) distributed,pointed teeth 31 that bite into the adjacent endplate. For furtherinsuring that the endplate will be stably seated into the vertebralendplate, the outer face of the endplate may also have a few long spikes33 extending therefrom. In some embodiments, the endplate has an overallconvex shape in order to suitably conform to the overall concave shapeof the natural vertebral endplate in which it seats.

The annular portion of the second member also comprises a plurality ofuniformly distributed, transverse, through-holes 35. These throughholesare generally of the throughhole size discussed above, and provide ameans for bone growth therethrough. In this particular FIG. 6 a, thethroughholes have a diamond shape. The diamond shape allows the secondannulus material to make a mesh pattern that has structural advantages.However, any conventional shape may be used for the through-holepattern. In some embodiments, the plurality of throughholes occupy eachof the lateral faces of the posterior portion of the second annulus.

The second member may preferably include a reinforcing collar 61surrounding the outer (upper) end portion 59 of the second annulus. Thefunction of this reinforcing collar is to allow for instrumentattachment. The reinforcing collar also generally has a pluraliuty ofthrough-holes 63 extending radially therethrough. These throughholesfunction as areas for instrument attachment, and as areas for bonegrowth and vascularization.

The proximal portion 65 of the second annulus has a plurality ofelongated teeth 67 thereon forming at least one notch 69 therebetween.These teeth and notches form a row extending up the outside of theannulus. Typically, the annulus of the second member has at least tenelongated notches thereon. These notches are formed to compliment theteeth of the pressure plate. The apices of the notches on the secondmember are generally spaced apart a distance of between about 1 mm and 2mm, generally about 1.5 mm. The spacing can be larger or smaller thanthese values, with smaller being preferable.

The distal 70 portion of the second annulus of the second member alsohas an assembly groove 54 extending inwardly and axially along theoutside 68 of the second annulus. This assembly groove mates with thecorresponding assembly pin of the first member in order to maintain thesecond member in a slidable orientation within the first member.

Once the overall height of the cage has been determined by the surgeonand the relative disposition of the first and second members setaccordingly, the set screw is then rotated by the surgeon using ascrewdriver. The set screw acts to advance the pressure plate so thatthe teeth on the pressure plate contact the ratchet notches of thesecond member, thereby locking the desired overall height of the cage.

Typically, the cages of the present invention are designed to occupyeither one, two or three levels of a thoracolumbar corpectomy. In someembodiments having either 16 mm or 20 mm endplate dimensions, the heightof the cage can be between 22 mm and 72 mm. In some embodiments having24 mm endplate dimensions, the height of the cage can be between 22 mmand 110 mm. In general, the cage is designed to expand its height in anincrement of between about 8.5 mm to about 25 mm. Cages can be designedto overlap in height ranges with their adjacent sizes. For example afirst cage can range in height from 25 to 33.5 mm, while a second cagecan range in height from 28.5 mm to 38.5 mm in height.

I claim:
 1. A method of inserting an expandable spinal corpectomy cageinto a defect space between a pair of vertebral bodies, the cagecomprising i) an outer member having a first endplate and opposingattachment features defining a rotation axis, and ii) an inner memberhaving a second endplate, wherein the inner member is received withinthe outer member and is axially adjustable relative thereto in an axialdirection thereof for adjusting the variable axial height of the cage,the method comprising the steps of: a) attaching the attachment featuresof the expandable cage to an insertion instrument, b) inserting theexpandable cage into the defect space in an orientation in which theaxis of the cage is substantially orthogonal to an axis of the spine,and c) manipulating the insertion instrument to rotate the expandablecage about the rotation axis so that the axis of the cage issubstantially parallel to the axis of the spine.
 2. The method of claim1 wherein each of the outer and inner members are sleeves.
 3. The methodof claim 2 wherein the outer sleeve comprises an inner wall and an outerwall having a pair of recesses thereon adapted for mating with theinstrument.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the inner sleeve comprisesan outer wall and an end plate having a substantially spherical pocketthereon adapted for mating with the instrument.
 5. The method of claim 2wherein the outer sleeve comprises an inner wall and an outer wallhaving a substantially spherical pocket thereon adapted for mating witha first portion of the instrument.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein theinner sleeve comprises an outer wall and an end plate having a pair ofrecesses thereon adapted for mating with a second portion of theinstrument.
 7. The method of claim 2 wherein the instrument comprises afork comprising a proximal shaft, an intermediate crossbar, and a distalportion comprising a pair of extensions, each extension having a pair ofopposing bosses.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the instrumentcomprises a lever having a proximal shaft, an intermediate portion and aspherical distal end.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the intermediateportion of the lever pivots upon the fulcrum.
 10. The method of claim 9wherein the outer member comprises an inner wall and an outer wallhaving a pair of recesses thereon adapted for mating with an instrument,wherein the opposing bosses mate with the pair of recesses.
 11. Themethod of claim 10 wherein the inner member comprises an outer wall andan end plate having a substantially spherical pocket thereon adapted formating with the instrument, and wherein the spherical distal end of thelever pivotally mates with the spherical pocket.
 12. The method of claim1 wherein the cage has a closed configuration in step a), and furthercomprising the step of: d) expanding the cage to an expandedconfiguration.